St Nicholas' Cathedral Blows

[jimmyosram]

Tricky this one. Am I right in thinking that the blown highlights in this photo I took today can't be recovered in PS? I've revisited the RAW file and even on the -2 adjustment they're still blown. Apart from retaking the shot or some form of cloning, have I to just put up with it?

Thanks in advance people.

[pburness]

I would guess yes if you have a - 2 stop exposure and can't get any joy.
Shame, did you not bracket? Might be worth doing next time.

Phil

[GeoffWessex]

I still think it's very good, but that contrast is just too much for almost any camera to handle in one exposure. I say 'almost any' because, though I haven't tried them, there are a few new cameras around that the manufacturers tell us can handle that bit more of the dynamic range in one shot. If there's nothing more to be found by trying different exposures in the Raw, it suggests that the only answer would be HDR.... and even then, five shots, 2 stops apart.

[jimmyosram]

What a puddin' I am. I did bracket this shot Phil and have a non blown shot to work with. Might try that new fangled HDR everyone keeps talking about 8-)

[ianpinion]

Give it a go Jimmy, as it's the only way you will ever properly recover the lost detail in those highlights and it will mean that you've done proper justice to what is another fabulous image from your repatoire.

[pburness]

Originally Posted by jimmyosram

What a puddin' I am. I did bracket this shot Phil and have a non blown shot to work with. Might try that new fangled HDR everyone keeps talking about 8-)

Jimmy,
As I think as Geoff says (and I eluded too), bracket some more...
If your camera has a spot meter built in then determine the brightest and dullest portions of the image and note down the readings - do a one-stop adjustment for each exposure and blend them carefully as you already know how to do...

Phil

[rbarry]

Originally Posted by ianpinion

Give it a go Jimmy, as it's the only way you will ever properly recover the lost detail in those highlights and it will mean that you've done proper justice to what is another fabulous image from your repatoire.

HDR doesn't have to be your only option. If you can align the images and open them as layers, then as Phil suggests, careful selective blending should give you a good range to work with.

[wotcars]

lovely shot Jimmy great detail just a sham the highlights are blown just that little bit to much
cant wait to see what you do with the bracketted shots